Author

Brett Crandall

Brett Crandall

Brett Crandall is an actor, writer, producer, puppeteer and LGBTQIA+ activist based in Garden City. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts-NY, he tours regularly with his puppetry practice, Brett Crandall Studios, with a focus on all-ages, queer-inclusive stories. He is a proud member of the Reflector's arts writing cohort.

OPINION
A Barbie doll with a 2012 presidential theme is part of the charity raffle during the 2015 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City hotel July 31, 2015 in Arlington, Virginia.

What about Kevin? An update from that boy in the Barbie aisle

By: - August 18, 2023

The now record-breaking “Barbie” movie has sparked controversy, but as reflected from the current writers’ and actors’ strikes in Hollywood and New York, when defining “successful” in America, money talks the loudest. So as this humble, Kansas-based, queer puppeteer was readying himself for some summer shows in the tri-state area, I was thrilled when my […]

OPINION
Renee Carmichael, a member of Garden City Community College's music faculty, marked her last concert at Garden City with this year's Flower Concert.

Annual concert in Garden City honors creative work and growing pains of students, faculty

By: - July 6, 2023

I’m always thrilled to see a music piece I’m actually familiar with when I look at a concert program, something that I can latch onto that harkens back to another time. In this case, at the Garden City Community College Spring Awards and Flower Concert, it was “Jupiter” From Gustav Holst’s “The Planets.” I remembered […]

OPINION

The art of community: How creative contributions can transform a Kansas town

By: - May 21, 2022

The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Brett Crandall is an actor, writer, producer, puppeteer and LGBTQIA+ activist based in Garden City. Dear Cindy Crandall, I wanted to congratulate you and your newlywed […]

OPINION

Western Kansas’ lack of arts opportunities deters young people from living on the plains

By: - March 26, 2022

The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Brett Crandall is an actor, writer, producer, puppeteer and LGBTQIA+ activist based in Garden City. Garden City saw a weekend packed with theater performances from the […]

OPINION

When it comes to indie filmmaking, there’s no place like home

By: - February 4, 2022

The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Brett Crandall is an actor, writer, producer, puppeteer and LGBTQIA+ activist based in Garden City. The film industry has been no more immune to the COVID-19 […]

OPINION

It takes a village, people: How pride came to western Kansas

By: - August 4, 2021

The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Brett Crandall is an actor, writer, producer, puppeteer, and LGBTQIA+ activist based in Deerfield, Kansas, and New York City. Imagine, if you can, your average small […]